Vapor lamp generator



Oct. 23, P F- DURHAM 1,978,253

VAPOR LAMP GENERATOR Filed Aug. 7, 1933 L Pki sEDurham Patented Oct. 23, 1934 VAPOR LAMP GENERATOR Phipps F. Durham, Fredericksburg, Tex. Application August 7, 1933, Serial No. 684,101

3 Claims.

This invention relates in general to vapor lamps and more particularly has reference to a generator for generating the vapor to beburned.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device whereby a liquid fuel may be completely vaporized before being fed to the burner, at the same time provide a means for reducing to a minimum the deposit of free carbon within the generator. It is an object that this generator 9 shall be so positioned as to receive heat from the burneritself, and that it shall form a guide and a cleaning device for the cleaner rod customarily employed to keep open the orifice between the generator and the burner. The generator is to be so formed as to provide the least possible surface for deposits of free carbon, so as to provide for the greatest amount of heat to be taken in with the least amount lost through radiation, and so as to provide ample space within which the vapor may be generated'and passed out through the burner.

With the above and other objects in view this invention consists of a device such as set forth by way of illustration and example in the follow- 5 ing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure l is an elevation partly in section illustrating a generator constructed in accordance with this invention as applied to a twin mantle lamp.

Figure 2 is an exploded View of the generator illustrated inFigure 1.

Figure '3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

tubing is preferably threaded into the lower end of the branch 4 and is provided with a small orifice 6 at its upper end. The .tubing5 is likewise threaded atits lower end 7 for the purpose of receivingthe upper end of the generator. The

lower end of the generator'is carried by a similar sectionofltubing 8 which is somewhat longer tha'nthe section'5 andisthreaded at 9 into the lower end of the generator. The lower end of ithe tubing 8 is provided with external threads 10 by which it is adapted to be connected to the source of fuel supply. Intermediate its ends the tubing 8 is provided with a laterally extending boss 11 for a purpose which will be presently set forth.

The generator proper is made up of an outer shell which consists of two sections 15 and 16 both of which are formed of a heat conductive material. The upper section terminates at its upper end in a collar portion 12 having an internally threaded opening 12 therethrough adapted to receive the threaded lower end 7 of the tubing 5, and is provided at its lower end with a projecting flange 13 having threads 13 on its outer surface adapted to receive the lower section of the shell. A washer 13 may be placed around the flange 13 for the purpose of forming a tight joint when the lower section is put in place.

The lower section of the shell terminates at its lower end in a collar portion 14 having an internally threaded opening 14 therethrough to receive the threaded upper end of the tubing 8, and is internally threaded at its upper end at 15' to threadedly engage the flange 13. This lower section 15 is thinner than the upper section 16 as clearly shown in Figure 1 and the flange 13 therefore forms a shoulder 17 Where it joinsto the main body of the upper section 16. When the two sections of the outer shell are thus joined together they form a complete shell having the shape of an ovoid.

At its lower end the lower section 15 is formed with an internal seat 18 adapted to receive the lower open end of a diffuser tube 19 which is preferably formed of brass or some similar material. This diffuser is perforated throughout its peripheral surface and is provided with a relatively large intake opening 20 at its lower end. At its upper end this diffuser is provided with a relatively small guide opening for a purpose which will be presently set forth. Surrounding the difluser element is a vaporizer consisting of a porous cylindrical covering'2l which is preferably formed of asbestos or some similar substance. This vaporizer extends the entire length of the diffuser and surrounds the same in close relationship thereto.

For the purpose of keeping the orifice 6 clean of any free carbon formation, a needle point 22 is provided at the end of a rod 23 which extends downward through the guide opening 24 in the diffuser and thence into the tubing 8 tea point substantially opposite the boss 11. The boss 11 is made hollow and is adapted to receive and form a bearing for a small crank shaft 25 adapted to be rotated by means of a handle 26. The inner end of this shaft 25 is provided with a crank 27 to which is secured the lower end of the rod 23. It will thus be seen that by rotation of the arm 26 the needle point 22 will be moved into and out of the orifice 6 thereby cleaning it of any deposits of free carbon which might be formed therein.

Fuel is fed from the reservoir up through the tubing 8 and into the lower end of the diffuser element 19. It is then difiused through the perforations 28 in this element and is absorbed by the vaporizer 21. The vaporizer being porous and of fibrous material soon becomes saturated with fuel. In starting the burner it is first necessary to heat up the generator by. applying a torch or other heating means thereto for a short period of time. For this purpose and for the purpose of keeping the generator heated after the burner is stated the lower section of the outer shell is made of relatively thin material so that the heat may readily pass into the generator.

When the generator is hot the fuel which has been absorbed by the vaporizer will be quickly turned into vapor and will pass up past the upper end of the diffuser into the tubing 5 and through the orifice 6, thence being conducted to the mantles l and 2 which constitute the burners in this instance. Once the burners have been lighted, they will by virtue of their position closely adjacent the lower section of the generator furnish heat sufficient to keep the generator at the proper temperature. The generator shell is so shaped as to provide the least possible surface for'the collection of free carbon and so as to provide considerable open space around and above the diffuser and vaporizer so that the vapor produced may readily pass out of the generator.

When the orifice 6 becomes clogged with the free carbon or any other substance, it is merely necessary to turn the handle 26 thus causing the needle 22 to move into and out of the orifice and clean the same. The rod 23 is positively guided by means of the opening 24 in the top of the diifuser and is kept clean at those portions adjacent the upper ends of the diffuser by being moved up and down through said opening. This is very important because of the fact that it is at this point that most of the free carbon tends to form on this rod.

The upper section of the generator is made of relatively thick material so as to prevent the vapor which has been generated from cooling off too quickly as it is leaving the generator. This also tends to retard the formation of carbon deposits and in all to provide a more efficient burner. At the same time, the two sections of the generator are threaded together, so that when free carbon is formed within the shell, or when the generator becomes clogged for any other reason, it is a simple matter to merely unscrew the sections from each other, using pliers or wrenches if necessary, and access may be had to the entire interior of the generator.

The device described has proven to be very efficient and satisfactory in its operation and very economical in its fuel consumption. It has been found for example that a two mantle lamp using the cheapest grade of gasoline andemploying this generator is capable of continuous use for fifty hours or more on a single gallon of fuel. While it will be appreciated that various changes in the details and arrangement of parts may be made, the spirit and scope of this invention is to be limited only by the prior art taken in connection with the accompanying claims.

What I claim is:-

1. In a generator for a vapor lamp, an outer shell comprising two sections of heat conductive material threaded together, one of said sections being thicker than the other, and both together forming an ovoid shell adapted to be vertically disposed, said shell having an inlet opening at the lower end thereof and an outlet opening at theupper end thereof, said openings being formed for the reception of positioning and supporting fuel supply means, said lower section having a seat therein adjacent and surrounding said inlet opening, a perforated diffusing element having a relatively large intake opening at one end thereof and having a relatively small guide opening at its other end, the end having said intake opening being seated in said seat in the shell, a cleaning rcd passing through said intake and guide openings and adapted to be reciprocated therein, and a porous vaporizer surrounding and covering said diffusing element and in close contact therewith throughout its outer periphery, said vaporizer being spaced from the sides and outlet end of said outer shell.

2. In a generator for a vapor lamp, an outer shell comprising two sections of heatconductive material threaded together, one of said sections being thicker than the other, and both together forming an ovoid shell adapted to be vertically disposed, said shell having an inlet opening at the lower end thereof and an outlet opening at the upper end thereof, said openings being formed for the reception of positioning and supporting fuel supply means, said lower section having a seat therein adjacent and surrounding said inlet opening, a perforated diifusing element of cylindrical formation having a relatively large intake opening at one end thereof, the end having said intake opening being seated in said seat in the shell and the diffusing element being disposed. axially with respect to said shell, and a porous vaporizer surrounding and covering said diffusing element in close contact therewith throughout its outer periphery, said vaporizer being spaced from the sides and outlet end of said outer shell.

3. In a generator for a vapor lamp, an outer shell comprising two sections of heat conductive material removably secured together, one of said sections being thicker than the other, and both together forming an ovoid shell adapted to be vertically disposed, said shell having an inlet opening at the lower end thereof and an outlet opening at the upper end thereof, said openings being formed for the reception of positioning and supporting fuel supply means, said lower section having a seat therein adjacent and surrounding said inlet opening, a perforated diffusing element of cylindrical formation having a relatively large intake opening at one end thereof, the end having said intake opening being seated in said seat in the shell and the diffusing element being disposed axially with respect to said shell, and a porous vaporizer surrounding and covering said diffusing element in close contact therewith throughout its outer periphery, said vaporizer being spaced from the sides and outlet end of said outer shell.

PHIPPS F. DURHAM. 

